Our Residents

Dr. Kelvis Gonzalez GallardoPost-graduate year: Third Year

Dr. Kelvis Gonzalez Gallardo was born in Santa Clara, Cuba. He had a passion
for science, but didn’t realize the impact he could have on lives,
until a group of physicians visited his high school one day. He says the
passion and knowledge they had opened his eyes to the possibilities of
making a difference. He attended medical school at the Higher Institute
of Medical Sciences in Villa Clara, Cuba. While preparing for his medical
boards, Dr. Gonzalez Gallardo was a CNA in Albuquerque, New Mexico and
was a scholar for the University of California at Los Angeles International
Medical Graduate Program, which places bilingual family physicians in
rural and urban communities. In his free time, he enjoys technology, playing
sports and reading.

Dr. Javier HernandezPost-graduate year: Third Year

Dr. Javier Hernandez was born in Oaxaca, Mexico. When he was 7 years old,
his mother had an episode of amnesia. He said she woke up one day and
couldn’t remember him. He was so impressed by the doctor’s
ability to help her, that he decided he wanted to become a doctor. He
began attending Universidad Autonoma Benito in Juarez de Oaxaca, but a
year into medical school, came to the United States to help his family
who was working in the fields picking fruit in Dinuba, Calif. Dr. Hernandez
wanted to do more for his community, so he went back to Mexico to finish
medical school and is happy to be returning as a physician. In his free
time, he enjoys international cuisine, outdoor activities and salsa dancing.

Dr. Angelina NeriaPost-graduate year: Third Year

Dr. Angelina Neria was born in Los Angeles. Her father suffered a heart
attack when she was in high school. She remembers the great care he received
and how the doctors were able to save his life. This inspired her to become
a doctor herself. She has a medical and master’s degrees from Loma
Linda University. Dr. Neria is happy to join her husband, Dr. Jerry Neria,
who began the Hanford Family Medicine Residency program in January 2016.
She is fluent in English and Spanish. In her free time, Dr. Neria enjoys
spending time with her husband and two children, baking and jogging.

Dr. Adeel AmerPost-graduate year: Second Year

Dr. Amer is very familiar with the Hanford residency program. He started
his internship in Hanford in 2014, then completed the remainder in Brooklyn,
New York. He remembers growing up in Pakistan and helping care for patients
at Mission Hospital, where his father was a business administrator. At
6 years old, he helped nurses give patients baths and get them out of
bed to walk around. This experience later grew into a passion for the
medical field. Amer earned a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from
California State University, Fullerton, and a medical degree from American
University of Antigua. He’s fluent in English, Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi.
In his free time, he enjoys cooking, collecting vinyl albums and golfing.

Dr. Kofi AsirifiPost-graduate year: Second Year

Dr. Asirifi was raised by a grandmother who was an herbalist in a small
village in Ghana. He wanted to study conventional medicine so he could
reach people in ways his grandmother couldn’t. He decided to pursue
family medicine after his father suffered a stroke. He has a Bachelor
of Science in Medical Sciences and a degree from University of Ghana Medical
School. Asirifi completed pediatrics and surgery internships from 37 Military
Hospital in Accra, Ghana, and medicine and OB-GYN internships at Holy
Family Hospital in Berekum, Ghana. He migrated to Merced in 2014, where
he began work as a clinical manager. Asirifi has family in Coalinga. He’s
fluent in Twi and Fante, and enjoys cooking and playing soccer and football.

Dr. F.J. CastilloPost-graduate year: Second Year

Dr. F.J. Castillo was influenced by his family physician while growing
up in Granada, Nicaragua. Although just a toddler, he was impressed by
the doctor’s charisma. When he was 13, he moved to Los Angeles with
his father and learned about American culture. Due to family matters,
he returned to Nicaragua, where he studied medicine. He has a medical
degree from National Autonomous University of Nicaragua (UNAN) and internship
training in Orthopedics, Pediatrics, OB-GYN, Internal Medicine and General
Surgery from Granada Regional Hospital. He moved back to the United States
and graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles International
Medical Program, which nourishes bilingual physicians. In his free time,
he enjoys playing baseball, chess and family time.

Dr. Vijay KrishnaPost-graduate year: Second Year

Dr. Vijay Krishna remembers being fascinated with science and puzzles since
childhood. He wanted to do work that exemplified the ideals of humanism
and involved aspects of problem solving. Also inspired by other family
physicians, he realized becoming a doctor would involve doing work that
incorporated many of his interests, such as architecture and engineering.
Dr. Krishna first attended the University of Texas, Austin. He then pursued
a Masters of Biological Sciences at Drexel University College of Medicine
in Philadelphia. Ultimately, he received his Medical Degree from St. George’s
University School of Medicine, Grenada, West Indies. He is currently enjoying
the friendly community of the Central Valley. He speaks English and is
partially fluent in Telugu, but would love to learn medical Spanish. His
interests include spending time with his dog, playing basketball, scuba
diving, traveling, architecture, airplanes and keeping on top of advances
in technology.

Dr. Sherief ZamzamPost-graduate year: Second Year

Dr. Sherief Zamzam was exposed to health care in the Philippines at the
age of 10. His grandmother was ill, and he witnessed poor hospital conditions,
such as overcrowding, under-staffing and the lack of resources. This experience
was eye-opening for him. Wanting to make a difference, he earned a Bachelor
of Science in Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior (NPB); a medical degree
from Ross University in the Caribbean and completed an internship at California
Hospital Medical Center in Los Angeles. Zamzam’s future ambition
is to go on medical mission trips yearly to give back to those in need.
He enjoys playing basketball, deep-sea fishing and participating in fitness
activities.

Dr. Karen W. FongPost-graduate year: First Year

Dr. Karen W. Fong’s childhood dream was to open a homeless shelter.
She says God showed her He wanted her to serve those in need. She was
further inspired to become a physician after she saw the great care that
physicians gave her father when he was ill. Dr. Fong attended University
of California, Berkeley and received her Medical Degree from Saba University
School of Medicine, Caribbean Netherlands. She is married to a Veteran
and they are both passionate about serving our country through mission
and medicine. Dr. Fong speaks English, Cantonese and Mandarin. Her interests
include singing in choir, mentoring high school students through basketball
and running marathons.

Dr. Phyu Wai LwinPost-graduate year: First Year

Dr. Phyu Wai Lwin grew up in Myanmar and was inspired to pursue medicine
by a local family medicine doctor who she says took care of her community
with tireless dedication. She set heart on becoming a doctor and is the
first physician in her family. She received her Medical Degree from University
of Medicine, Mandalay and served as a general practitioner in Myanmar.
She has also studied health administration and health information management.
Dr. Lwin speaks English, Burmese and Chinese. She says she is enjoying
Hanford and its “small town feel,” as well as all the fresh
produce available. Her interests include cooking, shopping and outdoor
activities like traveling, hiking and cycling.

Dr. Manhar PatelPost-graduate year: First Year

Dr. Manhar Patel initially wanted to be a pilot. When his father was undergoing
heart surgery he saw how caring doctors and nurses helped him recover.
From that moment in childhood, he knew he wanted to become a doctor. He
received his Medical Degree from Smolensk State Medical Academy in Russia
and completed a Health Information Post Baccalaureate at Weber University,
Utah. Dr. Patel says he is enjoying the “small town feel”
of the Central Valley because the peaceful environment reminds him of
life at home. He speaks English, Russian, Hindi and Gujarati. His interests
include cooking, spending time with family and friends and exercising.

Dr. Alvin E. VanegasPost-graduate year: First Year

Dr. Alvin E. Vanegas knew he wanted to become a doctor from an early age.
He remembers how physicians helped his mom recover her vision after she
suffered a complete occlusion of the ophthalmic artery. He chose to become
a doctor so that he too could bring that type of happiness to others.
He received his Medical Degree from ELAM (Latin American School of Medicine)
in Cuba. Of his time in Cuba, he says he learned about the positive perspective
people can keep despite their circumstances. He speaks English and Spanish.
Dr. Vanegas and his wife, are enjoying the homey feel of Hanford. His
interests include hiking, dancing and good movies.